Chapter 1022 — The Illusory Dream of Dutian
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
The great army of the Heavenly Court came marching; this time the one who led it was Mingya, Crown Prince of the Heavenly Emperor's house, with the Three Dukes to assist him, bringing the great host of the Heavenly River Navy.
Crown Prince Mingya and the Three Dukes richly rewarded the Old Demon of Dutian for his valor, promoted him before the ranks, enfeoffed him as General of Loyal Valor with a divine office of the fourth rank proper, and gave him command of an army to follow the Crown Prince in war. The fighting in Taixu was exceedingly perilous, and yet the Old Demon of Dutian seemed to have the help of Heaven itself: he won wonder upon wonder, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, breaking through to the God-Slaying Terrace realm, then breaking through to the Jade Capital realm, and he won still more the appreciation of Crown Prince Mingya, who promoted him again and again. Unawares, a thousand years of war went by.
Under the Crown Prince and the Three Dukes, the Old Demon of Dutian met the counterattack of the Creator race, and time and again beat them back, earning merit of sweat and blood. Higher and higher rose his military merit, until he was enfeoffed as General of Returning Virtue. Then one day the Venerable descended upon the land of Taixu, preparing to exterminate the Creator race with all his strength and open the road to the Land of No Sorrow.
The Crown Prince and the Three Dukes handed in their military authority and returned with him in glory to the Heavenly Court, to receive the Heavenly Court's rewards.
The Heavenly Emperor summoned him in person to bestow them, and when he asked the Old Demon of Dutian what he desired, the Old Demon of Dutian knelt and said, "I beg only for one heaven, to be a dwelling for my people.
" The Heavenly Emperor and the hundred officials and gods all laughed, saying, "For such great merit, our good minister asks only for one heaven; truly he is simple and honest. " Whereupon he was rewarded with countless treasures, and two great heavens besides, and enfeoffed as a Marquis.
The Old Demon of Dutian's fame filled court and country, and he was about to go pay his respects at the residence of Venerable Mu, when the Crown Prince summoned him instead and said, "Venerable Mu has long harbored thoughts of rebellion; His Majesty has endured him a long while, only he cannot lay hands on proof. The Marquis is an old acquaintance of his; when you go to see him, he will surely be off his guard.
Hide this imperial robe and this imperial seal in his residence, and I will come to search; when the robe and seal are turned up, he shall be charged with treason and beheaded. Thus may His Majesty sleep without care! " The Old Demon of Dutian was aghast and dared not take the imperial seal and robe.
"You fear for your people? Dutian, once Venerable Mu is dead, your people are still yours.
" Crown Prince Mingya's face darkened, and he said with a cold smile, "Do not forget that I saw your worth and raised you up; it is I who promoted you, and only thus do you hold your present station.
It is time you repaid my kindness!
" The Old Demon of Dutian knelt on the ground and said, "Your Highness has shown me the kindness of one who knows my worth, but Venerable Mu too has treated me with kindness as weighty as a mountain.
That I cannot repay kindness with kindness is one thing; but I cannot repay kindness with enmity. I beg Your Highness to withdraw the order!
" Crown Prince Mingya flew into a rage, struck the table and rose, crying angrily, "To kill Venerable Mu, one must fabricate a charge against him; to kill you, not even a charge need be fabricated! Dutian, I give you two roads: either you walk once onto the God-Slaying Terrace, or you carry the imperial robe and seal into the residence of Venerable Mu.